







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you want me to put the chicken into the cooker first? | |
| Sorry to ask, but are you on your period or something? | |
| Of course, she is an angel, do you want to talk to your mum? | |
| With gas stoves, someone can leave the gas on, it's too dangerous! | |
| Are they older or younger? | |
| I need some parsley, but it looks a bit limp. | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |
| No, it doesn't look clean, do you want me to clean it? | |
| Anyway, the flight situation is a bit complicated. | |
| I think so, he can look around while Bear is not here. | |
| Oh look at this big boy, he gets bigger everytime I see him! | |
| I am half-British and half-Australian. | |
| But he hisses occasionally, is it normal? | |
| But I don't know him well. | |
| Yeah, and the market is good, is Camden Lock in zone-2 or 3? | |
| Yes, it is, but yours isn't so obvious. | |
| Can you stop acting like I always ask for money? | |
| There is no direct flight from London to Perth. | |
| Yeah, our room has only got one window! | |
| I was just joking, how are you? | |